We have heard today from the Permanent Representatives of Senegal, Peru, Palau, and Sweden and from Remi Parmentier of the Global Ocean Commission. For many of you, what they have told you today is not news. Those of you who have been immersed in these matters for a while, know the health of our oceans and seas is imperilled.

I firstly take this opportunity to congratulate you on your appointment as Chairman of the eleventh session of the United Nations Forum on Forests and my delegation is confident that this year’s Forum will be a success under your stewardship. Also I extend the Government of Fiji’s support to you Mr. Chairman during the course of our deliberations in the next couple of days. I also thank the Secretariat for circulating the background information that forms the basis of our deliberations.

The Fijian delegation has the honour to extend its gratitude and appreciation to you and members of the panel for your valuable insights. We also thank the Secretariat for circulating the concept note that has formed the basis of our discussions this afternoon.

Firstly, allow me to congratulate Your Excellency and your Bureau on your election. The Fiji Delegation assures you of its full support and cooperation, and welcomes the special theme for this forty-eighth session of the Commission on Population and Development.

Madam President, Fiji aligns with the statement delivered by South Africa on behalf of G77 and China.

Let me firstly congratulate you for taking the helm of this Informal Consultative Process. You can be assured of the Fiji Delegation's full support throughout this meeting.

At the outset, Fiji aligns itself with the statements delivered by South Africa on behalf of G77 and China, by Malidives on behalf of AOSIS and by the Kingdom of Tonga on behalf of PSIDS. Allow me Co-Chairs to also thank the Secretary-General and those concerned, particularly DOALOS, for the comprehensive report that ties in well with this year's theme.

Allow me to offer my congratulations and that of my delegation to you and your Bureau on your election. I can assure you of our delegations full support as we look forward to a fruitful two week of conferencing ahead.

Fiji aligns itself with the statements delivered by the distinguished representatives of South Africa on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and by the Kingdom of Tonga on behalf of the Pacific Small Island Developing States.

I have the honour to introduce document A/69/L.53 entitled, “A global geodetic reference frame for sustainable development “on behalf of the 52 co-sponsors reflected in this resolution under the current Agenda Item 9.